LAHORE (March 09 2004): The Sugarcane Growers Association of Mamoo Kanjan, in Faisalabad district, has found a new industrial model to bring together small farmers and 21st century sugar technology to increase yield and improve quality.

Javed Malik, convenor Sugarcane Growers Association, told APP on Monday that the model provides partnership between the two forces, which would result in an enterprise that gives sugarcane growers of the area part ownership in the sugar manufacturing process, while providing growers the latest technology and management skills.

"This technology would increase the per acre yield as well as quality of sugarcane production, resulting in better sugar recovery," he said.

Malik said the whole project had been conceived under a social entrepreneur-ship approach, as part of the government plan of poverty alleviation, small and medium enterprise development, job creation in rural areas and even distribution of wealth at the grass roots level, particularly in the most neglected rural areas.

This would also help develop local resources and talent, and make the optimum use of them in their home ground, he said, adding that the programme would also make extensive use of information technology.

"The programme will increase the government revenues through a broader tax base, and improve foreign exchange earnings through cost-effective exports," Malik claimed.

He said: "The project is based on sugarcane growers' co-operative concept running successfully in the Indian state of Maharashtra." According to Malik, about 117 sugar co-operatives are successfully operating in Pune.

Courtesy Business Recorder